ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference office has announced its weekly swimming and diving awards with a pair of Illinois athletes picking up weekly honors. Sophomore Samantha Stratford was named the Co-Swimmer of the Week, while freshman Megan Vuong earned the Co-Freshman of the Week accolade following their performances in Illinois' 182-118 victory over Michigan State this past weekend.

As a freshman, Stratford was named the conference's "Freshman of the Week", but this week's honor marks her first "Swimmer of the Week" accolade. Stratford picked up three individual victories over the weekend, winning the 200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley races. Additionally, the sophomore anchored UI's third place 400 freestyle relay tandem. Stratford has won all seven individual races she's competed in so far this season.

This week's accolade marks the first of Vuong's Illinois career following a successful first trip to East Lansing, Michigan. Vuong posted victories in the 200 butterfly and 100 freestyle events against Michigan State and also added a second place finish in the 100 butterfly. Additionally, Vuong swam the opening leg of Illinois' victorious 400 freestyle relay team. The freshman Illini has finished first or second in each of her individual races to this point.

The Orange and Blue have a full slate this weekend with their final home meet of the season on Friday night at the ARC Pool when Northwestern comes to town. The following morning UI will head to Carbondale, Illinois, to take on Illinois State and Southern Illinois in a noon meeting.